The ancient history of the name Darlene dates back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name given to a person who was greatly loved by his friends and family. The surname was originally derived from the word deorling, which meant darling.[1]CITATION[CLOSE]Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)[2]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)

Early Origins of the Darlene family

The surname Darlene was first found in Devon where Oter Dirlinges sunu was listed (1100-1130.) [3]CITATION[CLOSE]Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) However, another source claims there is an even older Saxon reference "AElfmar Dyrling, a noble youth is mentioned in the Saxon Chronicle." [4]CITATION[CLOSE]Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle dates back to the late 9th century probably in Wessex and was updated through 1154. The name Derling with no personal name was listed in Bedfordshire 1133-1160 and later in the Pipe Rolls of Devon in 1177. In the same year many miles to the north, the first listing of the name in Scotland was found specifically Derlig de Ardift who was a witness to a charter. [5]CITATION[CLOSE]Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3) But continuing the quest in England, we found Durling atte Forde in 1330, William Dierling (Derling) in the Pipe Rolls of Devon 1195-1196. [3]CITATION[CLOSE]Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) The YorkshirePoll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists: Ricardus Derlyng; Adam Derlyng; and Johannes Derlyng. [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) A few years later in Scotland, Waldevus Darling or Derlyng was a a charter witness in Roxburgh c. 1338. Sir John Derlynge was precentor of Caithness in 1368 and later John Derling and Andrew Derling were burgesses of Edinburgh in 1381. [5]CITATION[CLOSE]Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)

Early History of the Darlene family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Darlene research.Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1772, 1858, 1825 and 1831 are included under the topic Early Darlene History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Darlene Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Darlene include Darling, Derling, Darlin, Durling, Darline, Derline, Derlin and many more.

Early Notables of the Darlene family (pre 1700)

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Darlene Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Darlene family to Ireland

Some of the Darlene family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.Another 47 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Darlene family to the New World and Oceana

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Darlene or a variant listed above: Francis Darling who settled in Virginia in 1654; George Darling settled in Boston in 1651; another George Darling settled in Virginia in 1774; Richard Darling settled in Virginia in 1651 with his wife Ruth..